Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 2 Cardiff Devils
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight built off a solid showing against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Steelers last night by claiming their first point of the 11/12 Challenge Cup campaign in a gritty 2-2 tie with the Cardiff Devils.
Though the Rays - who were tonight without Jason Silverthorn, Tristan Harper and long term injury concern Ryan Lake - were mathematically knocked out of the competition last night, they entered the game hoping to continue momentum that has seen them impress in recent weeks.
In reverse to the previous night, the Stingrays fell behind to a Ben Davies first period goal but hit back to take the lead through Jereme Tendler and Matty Davies in the second period.
In a fractious, unsavory final period - in which Bobby Chamberlain and Dan Scott dropped the gloves - the Rays again surrendered a late goal in the final minute of the game - this time from Cardiff player-coach Gerad Adams - as the Devils denied them a first win of the cup competition.
Though conceding a late goal for the second time in two games is disappointing for the Rays, the recent improvement in form is heartening and does offer some hope for the remainder of the regular season.
However, with all players two-weeks notice period set to expire following the Edinburgh home loss, Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier must decided which import to release ahead of two further Challenge Cup games next weekend - at home to Coventry and away to Sheffield.
The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight built off a solid showing against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Steelers last night by claiming their first point of the 11/12 Challenge Cup campaign in a gritty 2-2 tie with the Cardiff Devils.
Though the Rays - who were tonight without Jason Silverthorn, Tristan Harper and long term injury concern Ryan Lake - were mathematically knocked out of the competition last night, they entered the game hoping to continue momentum that has seen them impress in recent weeks.
In reverse to the previous night, the Stingrays fell behind to a Ben Davies first period goal but hit back to take the lead through Jereme Tendler and Matty Davies in the second period.
In a fractious, unsavory final period - in which Bobby Chamberlain and Dan Scott dropped the gloves - the Rays again surrendered a late goal in the final minute of the game - this time from Cardiff player-coach Gerad Adams - as the Devils denied them a first win of the cup competition.
Though conceding a late goal for the second time in two games is disappointing for the Rays, the recent improvement in form is heartening and does offer some hope for the remainder of the regular season.
However, with all players two-weeks notice period set to expire following the Edinburgh home loss, Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier must decided which import to release ahead of two further Challenge Cup games next weekend - at home to Coventry and away to Sheffield.
FBB Three Stars
1 - Bobby Chamberlain (0+0)
2 - Christian Boucher (31 saves)
3 - Sylvain Cloutier (0+1)
